Business, community leaders form new initiative to promote Lexington, fund community projects

April 13, 2016

LEXINGTON - A group of 16 business and community leaders today announced the formation of a new initiative called Together Lexington to energize the community by creating a positive marketing campaign and funding projects that will improve quality of life.

The project partners are:• Ann Bakhaus, president of Kentucky Eagle, Inc.• Lisa Ball, vice president of Ball Homes• Barry Bishop, regional vice president/operations of Windstream Communications• Bill Farmer, president & CEO of United Way of the Bluegrass• Rufus Friday, president and publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader• Lee Greer, president of Greer Companies • Larry Hall, president of Hall Media, Inc.• Jeri Isbell, vice president of human resources and corporate communications for Lexmark International• Larry Jones, central region president of Community Trust Bank• Dr. Augusta Julian, president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College• Brian McCarty and Bruce Drake, partners in Bluegrass Hospitality Group• Bret Melrose, owner of Fayette Heating & Air• Jeff Murphy, vice president of marketing and communications for KentuckyOne Health• Rhonda Petr, director of marketing, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid • Mary Quinn Ramer, president of VisitLEX• Bill Thomason, president and CEO of Keeneland

"There are so many reasons Lexingtonians are proud to call our community home," Bakhaus said. "We want to celebrate that spirit, spread the enthusiasm and invest in our local assets."

Together Lexington will be seeking the input for suggested projects that will enhance the community. People can visit www.togetherlexington.com to submit ideas for projects and explain how those projects would make a noticeable difference in the community. More than $125,000 will be available to fund multiple projects.

"Together Lexington will build pride by promoting the unique assets of the community," said Rufus Friday, president and publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader. "The special projects that we identify, fund and bring to the community will leave an impression throughout the community for generations to enjoy for years to come."

In addition to the project partners, Carla Blanton will serve as project manager, and James Howard of Six10 Web Design is designing the website. Hall Media has provided the logo and advertising design as well as all graphic support. A special section on Together Lexington and its partners will run in the Herald-Leader on April 17.

To learn more or submit a project idea, visit www.togetherlexington.com, and follow on Twitter @2getherLex and Facebook at Together Lexington.